Outside Pujiu Temple, chaos had erupted beyond what the stationed officials could handle. Various noises and clamor mixed together – officials hurriedly lifted their robes as they descended from the pavilion across the street, shouting “Get more men! Quickly!” The common people cried out in alarm, trying to avoid the beggars who were pushing their way into the temple, loudly arguing “The distribution here is free, why weren’t we told?”

Amid the chaos, someone shouted “The officials are killing people!”, making the situation even more volatile.

At the temple gate, the strange woman surrounded by officials had been forcibly made to wash her face and questioned, simply because her appearance somewhat resembled Princess Danyang. When the rough officials saw that her clean face looked nothing like the portrait from their superiors, they cursed and turned away: “Lock her up first!”

The woman was shocked, thinking this wasn’t what she had expected – when she was hired, no one mentioned prison. She screamed shrilly: “On what grounds are you arresting me? On what grounds!”

The officials shouted: “Clear the crowd! Clear the crowd! Damn it, everyone moves! It’s too crowded – don’t you want to live? Aren’t you afraid of being trampled? Aren’t you afraid of fire?”

They drew their swords: “Get out of our way—”

Tonight’s lanterns were dazzling, their light outshining the moon, making the entire temple – even the whole city – brilliantly illuminated… The officials were terrified, most fearful of incidents occurring on the night of the Dragon Boat Festival.

The highest-ranking official present, an eighth-rank official, walked toward the temple with a grim face while instructing his men: “Close the city gates! Starting tonight, strictly inspect everyone entering or leaving! Say it’s because of beggar riots threatening government offices, forcing us to close the gates… Watch carefully tonight – if even a mosquito flies out, I’ll hold you responsible!”

The officials following him wiped their sweat and mumbled: “Sir, we probably don’t have enough manpower to watch the gates… Everyone’s stuck here. We can’t ignore the common people just to protect the Princess, can we?”

The lower officials, unlike their superiors, came from common backgrounds and naturally sided with the people. They had always believed they were protecting the Princess, and thus were especially diligent.

A flash of inspiration struck the leading official, his breathing slightly heavy: “Are you saying we might neglect the city gates… Then we should send more men there! Quickly! Don’t let anyone leave the city!”

The reporting lower officials were stunned: “But here- here’s completely packed with people, those beggars can’t find food, they’re starting to rob the common people…”

The official froze, also dripping with sweat, realizing the complexity of the situation. However, he made a quick decision and still ordered: “Go to the city gates and stop people! As for here… here… block off the temple! No one enters or leaves! Let things settle first.”

The lower officials looked at him in horror, seeing their superior’s serious expression and his real intention to withdraw all manpower to the city gates… while inside Pujiu Temple, the common people surrounded by beggars, these beggars with no known origin, these monks being forcibly restrained…

The lower officials muttered “This will cause chaos” as they turned to relay the orders.

The leading official saw that the lower officials ultimately obeyed, letting out a slight sigh of relief, though remaining tense.

He had been promoted by the local county magistrate and had always followed the Jiang family of Nanyang. The local official was indeed from the Jiang family, though not from the main line but a branch family. The Jiang main family were all in Nanyang and Chang’an – how could it be their turn?

When setting out, the county magistrate had quietly told him that capturing the Princess, or even killing her in the chaos, would be good for the Jiang family. If this succeeded, their official career in Nanyang would prosper.

Yet such a good opportunity had turned into such chaos tonight!

“Sir! The medicines being watched in the temple are gone!” Another lower official, drenched in sweat, climbed down from the temple wall, as the main entrance was completely blocked by beggars and commoners, allowing no one in or out.

Who still cared about medicine now? The official waved his hand in annoyance, only worried about how to explain to the county magistrate.

He frowned deeply, mentally reviewing the night’s events: someone outside the temple claimed to have found someone resembling the Princess, then another Princess-lookalike at the temple gate, followed by the sudden intrusion of beggars… He muttered to himself: “So the renowned official Yan Suchen is with Her Highness.”

Originally they had only meant to use the medicine as bait, but now it was gone… A smile crept across the official’s lips as he thought: how could a blind man and a delicate princess escape through the city gates he had turned into a prison!—

Near the temple, officials were constantly being recalled, but those sent out hadn’t received the latest orders. In the deep alley, a patrol of four or five minor officials noticed people in the alley and approached step by step.

In the dim, flickering light, from the patrol’s direction, they could vaguely make out a couple embracing in the alley.

The man was tall and slim, slightly hunched, one hand cradling the woman’s face, the other around her waist. His moon-white outer robe was draped over the woman, making her form indistinct – only her black hair could be seen seeping through his fingers, tangled around his arm and cascading to the ground like a waterfall.

Only a princess of the imperial family could nurture such ankle-length beautiful hair.

After removing her hairpin, Yan Shang noticed his oversight, so he pretended to be entranced, using his arm to gather her hair, hoping the minor officials wouldn’t notice how her hair length differed from ordinary women.

The couple’s voices were subtle and low, their actions clearly showing what they were doing. But the leader of this patrol of minor officials, being someone experienced with various social circles, instinctively felt something was wrong. He hadn’t immediately noticed the woman’s unusual hair length, but thought: with the temple in such chaos, how could there be a couple here lost in passion?

They gripped their sword hilts and cautiously approached, shouting from a distance: “You two, turn around! Who are you? What are you doing here!”

Yan Shang felt Mu Wanyao’s eyelashes flutter against his face as she heard the officials’ approaching footsteps. Maintaining his composure, while embracing and kissing Mu Wanyao, he had already gripped the knife in his sleeve tightly. He listened to their sounds, calculating how to easily incapacitate the officials when they came closer without leaving traces…

He didn’t plan to kill them, but they would need to be unconscious.

Mu Wanyao kept her eyes closed as if intoxicated, her whole body buried in Yan Shang’s embrace, her hands passionately encircling his waist. But in her sleeve, her hand also gripped a dagger tightly. She thought that if it came to that, she would let Yan Shang escape while she held them off. Yan Shang’s eyes were impaired, but at least she had a dagger… and even if captured by officials, her status as a princess would give her some chance of survival.

So as the footsteps behind them drew closer, the couple seemed to kiss even more passionately.

Their lips and teeth intertwined, their breaths flowing like water. Soft yet unrestrained, their minds deliberately intoxicated while maintaining a cold assessment.

But as Mu Wanyao tilted her face up, eyes slightly open, intending to watch the approaching officials, she first noticed Yan Shang kissing her with closed eyes. Surrounding silence, distant killing – in this endless game, his eyes were closed.

His disheveled hair fell across his face, some strands seeping into his collar. His robe draped over her, several spots of mud on his sleeves. He was thin and clean, his brows furrowed in passion, face flushed… making her feel…

Mm.

Yan Shang opened his eyes.

Though he couldn’t see, at that moment when their “gazes” met, when he slightly hesitated, Mu Wanyao felt his fingers trembling against her cheek.

As if deeply moved by passion, he pushed her shoulder, letting her lean against the wall.

The officials behind them: “Stop!”

Of course, they couldn’t stop.

Actions were more convincing than words.

In their silent game, Mu Wanyao remained quiet as Yan Shang pushed her against the wall. His hand moved up from her waist, moonlight illuminating their faces. He became like a frequent brothel visitor – crude and excited, excited yet emotionless. So strangely frightening that it reminded Mu Wanyao of those men from Wu Man…

Those malicious touches, those crushing teases.

But she tilted her face up, eyes dark and still, watching Yan Shang’s face. His clean, gentle face was right next to hers, his breath pressing against her neck. Cold chilled her bones while heat shot up her spine.

Mu Wanyao tilted her neck high, holding him tightly, letting out an entangled sound from her lips: “Mm…”

Like a cat’s cry, seductively penetrating to the bone.

Those minor officials all blushed at this sound, let alone Yan Shang. That bewitching touch teased his heart – she was right under his palm, her slightly cool cheek against his slightly hot skin. Her light humming, her nose slightly brushing his neck, sent waves of goosebumps across his neck.

He suddenly felt dry, and tense all over. Not the kind of acting, but real… instantly reminded of their countless intimate moments.

The minor officials had reached within three zhang distance.

Yan Shang and Mu Wanyao each gripped their knife or dagger tightly… Those minor officials, seeing people still ignoring them, naturally realized something was wrong. They raised their swords, and in that brief standoff, just as the officials were about to act, a shout came from the alley entrance: “What are you still doing here! The Lord needs men at the city gates! Protect Her Highness!”

The officials with raised swords in the alley reluctantly said: “But…”

The couple continued embracing as if no one else existed, while the shouting official sternly said this was a superior’s order – the city gates were the priority. With superior pressure coming down, even though these officials felt something was wrong, they could only grit their teeth and follow the messenger out of the alley…

The reluctant patrol leader looked back one last time as he left: he saw the couple sitting down, the man pressing his face against the woman’s neck, continuing downward…

He cursed “disgusting”, convincing himself he must have overthought it, perhaps the man was just a skilled libertine of the pleasure quarters—

After the officials left, Yan Shang and Mu Wanyao sat face to face, sliding down against the wall. Their whole bodies trembling, numb, aching to the bone.

As Yan Shang weakened, his fingers touched hers and felt something, making him pause: “What are you doing with a dagger?”

Mu Wanyao lifted his sleeve, giving him a meaningful smile as she traced the knife handle and his wrist, indicating: don’t laugh at others when you’re doing the same thing.

Her fingertip’s light trace made his body shudder once. His face pressed against her neck, his breath hot, his tense body not relaxing despite the enemy’s departure. Mu Wanyao didn’t push him away either, asking casually: “Can you walk?”

Yan Shang gave a bitter smile.

He knew he had exposed his unsightly true nature. Being so close to her, pressed tightly together to prevent the enemy from recognizing her, how could she not feel his uncontrollable desire?

With anyone else, Yan Shang would have been mortified to death. Someone who cared so much about his image, how could he bear showing such an unsightly state in public? But this was Mu Wanyao, the Mu Wanyao who had witnessed his past… which made him, though still tense, less afraid.

Yan Shang said softly: “I need a moment.”

Mu Wanyao asked casually: “Want me to use my hand?”

Yan Shang: “…”

His fingers on her wrist twitched slightly as he turned to face her. Mu Wanyao sat with bent knees against the wall, watching him. Her lips were red and moist, glistening. His lips were slightly parted, chin tilted up as he breathed. His somewhat dazed, somewhat struggling appearance… made one really want to do something.

Mu Wanyao most enjoyed doing things to him.

A string tensed lightly in her mind, the distance between them already just a breath apart. Mu Wanyao lowered her head to kiss his lips, he froze for a moment, upper body slightly retreating. Mu Wanyao didn’t move, and after a moment of stillness, he leaned forward again, opening his mouth to respond to her.

Mu Wanyao smiled mockingly.

She said: “You’re so dishonest.”

He said softly: “You’re too honest.”

Continuing the previous pleasure, continuing the previous love. Minds blank, perhaps not wanting to think too much. Once passion is released, it must be vented; once the floodgates open, it must take time to subside… Han Shuxing’s voice suddenly appeared: “I’ve got the medicine.”

Yan Shang and Mu Wanyao’s faces pressed together, and both stiffened.

They all realized that moment of lost control. Mu Wanyao’s voice was slightly hoarse and deliberately indifferent: “Can you stand up?”

She was speaking to Yan Shang. His face was blood-red as he gave a bitter smile after a long pause: “Give me a little more time.”

Han Shuxing suddenly became anxious: “What’s wrong? Is Second Master injured? Where are you hurt? Can’t you stand?”

Being so reverent toward Second Master Yan, he thought Yan was injured and wanted to come to check. Yan Shang recoiled in horror while Mu Wanyao directly extended her arm to block Han Shuxing from touching Yan Shang. Mu Wanyao glared at Han Shuxing, gritting her teeth: “…Are you an idiot?”

Han Shuxing was at a loss being scolded by the Princess, habitually wanting to seek clarification from Second Master Yan. But Yan Shang kept his head down, fingers gripping the Princess’s sleeve, just sitting there rigidly hunched, saying nothing—

While a county under Nanyang’s jurisdiction was thrown into chaos by Yan Shang and Mu Wanyao, Chang’an City truly had the atmosphere of celebration on this Dragon Boat Festival night.

The Crown Prince had originally kept Yang Si at the Eastern Palace for the festival, saying the Crown Princess would personally cook to let Third Young Master Yang enjoy a feast. However, Yang San casually and somewhat smugly said he had a date with a beauty, leaving the Crown Prince surprised and somewhat sighing over “the pig we raised finally learned to root around.”

Now the Crown Prince had no other requirements for Yang Si – as long as he could quickly get married, it would put Yang’s parents at ease.

In the evening, Yang Si happily went to meet his date. The Crown Prince spent some time with his wives, concubines, and children in the Eastern Palace, but when he heard certain news, the slight smile on his face faded, making his eldest son who came to toast him too scared to say more.

The Crown Princess asked: “Your Highness, what’s wrong?”

The Crown Prince masked his expression, a slight smile on his lips, saying: “Father Emperor has invited a folk healer, I’m worried and want to go check.”

The Crown Prince then left the Eastern Palace to pay respects to the Emperor at his sleeping palace. Both the Prince of Jin and the Prince of Qin were there, while the Emperor’s eunuch Cheng An explained the Emperor’s condition to the princes. Liu Wenji stood silently in the corner, observing them.

As they spoke, a short, plump little old man in Taoist robes floated out from the main hall. Cheng An hurriedly went to inquire about His Majesty’s condition.

Cheng An nervously introduced to the princes: “This is the divine doctor that Eunuch Liu invited from overseas for His Majesty…”

The Crown Prince’s deep gaze turned to Liu Wenji in the corner. Liu Wenji had now been granted some military title, holding a high position and great power, incomparable to the past. Faced with the Crown Prince’s cold gaze, Liu Wenji bowed respectfully, not saying anything unnecessary.

This divine doctor happily reported the good news to the princes: “Your Highnesses need not worry, with old me here, I can at least help His Majesty live another two or three years…”

Everyone froze.

The princes recovered and each put on a show of grateful tears. Liu Wenji inwardly mocked their acting while being satisfied with the result that the Emperor could last another two or three years — the Emperor not dying was beneficial to Liu Wenji. As a eunuch in power, Liu Wenji needed the Emperor’s support.

Liu Wenji probably hoped for the Emperor to live even more than the princes did.

After the Crown Prince led his two brothers in paying respects to the Emperor outside the sleeping palace, he led them away. Then the three separated, either returning to their palaces or leaving the palace. After the Princes of Qin and Jin left, palace servants lit the way with lanterns as the Crown Prince walked silently back to the Eastern Palace.

The advisors following behind the Crown Prince kept their heads down without speaking.

Before reaching the Eastern Palace, the Crown Prince suddenly stopped. He turned around, suddenly looking at the golden palace halls behind him, at the extremely magnificent buildings… The frustration in his chest couldn’t be expelled as he muttered to himself: “…Why won’t he die?”

Living another two or three years, how could one endure such torture?

The advisor close to the Crown Prince was terrified, lowering his head even more, pretending he hadn’t heard anything.

But he heard the Crown Prince’s gritted teeth, heard his pent-up frustration, heard his indignation—

“Doesn’t he know everyone is waiting for him to die?”

“Why won’t he die?!”—

In a remote county under Nanyang’s jurisdiction, the county magistrate had sent all his men to the city gates, believing that after such chaos tonight, Mu Wanyao would surely rush to leave the city.

But Mu Wanyao was in no hurry to leave the city.

Fang Tong and the other guards from the Princess’s mansion had already left Rang County and were heading south to find her. Mu Wanyao wasn’t as urgent as before… Searching the city would be troublesome, but with her and Yan Shang’s abilities, they could still manage.

The pressing matter was Yan Shang’s eyes.

Mu Wanyao irritably sent out Han Shuxing, who couldn’t read the atmosphere, having him sneak to the city gates to observe how the officials had arranged things there. They would leave if possible, and stay if not, but at least they needed to understand the officials’ attitude.

Before he left, Mu Wanyao specifically instructed Han Shuxing: “After applying medicine to Yan Shang’s eyes, we two will be going to sleep. When you return, unless it’s extremely important, don’t knock and disturb us. No matter how urgent, it can wait until tomorrow.”

Finally managing to send Han Shuxing away, Mu Wanyao let out a sigh. In their rented room, Yan Shang sat on the couch while Mu Wanyao knelt behind him, carefully applying medicine to his eyes before covering them with gauze.

Mu Wanyao treated it as seriously as a major task, instructing in a soft voice: “Starting tonight, you must apply this for two hours every night, without interruption. If we interrupt it again, your eyes might be ruined.”

Yan Shang’s lips held a smile as he lowered his eyes, sitting properly kneeling with his fingers resting quietly on his knees.

She brushed aside his hair scattered on his shoulders, and as he closed his eyes, he felt her fingers spreading medicine around his eyes. Yan Shang said very softly: “I understand. Thank you, Your Highness.”

Mu Wanyao: “We’ll cover it with gauze again, don’t remove it.”

Yan Shang froze.

His heart suddenly felt twisted with pain.

She still knelt behind him applying medicine, then helped him lie down, but perhaps due to the burning sensation of the medicine around his eyes, his whole body started to feel uncomfortable. As she rose to get the gauze, Yan Shang grabbed her wrist, asking softly: “Why?”

Mu Wanyao paused: “What do you mean ‘why’?”

Yan Shang: “Why do you want me to cover my eyes with gauze again? Is it because… you’re leaving, going to separate from me?”

Mu Wanyao fell silent, looking down at the elegant youth lying on the couch, gripping her wrist.

Her mind wandered for a moment, speaking as if in a dream: “Of course. Once we leave this city, I can completely leave Shannan Circuit. Once I leave Shannan Circuit, the Jiang family of Nanyang won’t be able to hunt me anymore. I’ll regain my freedom and can turn around to strike back. Naturally, I won’t need you to follow me anymore. You can return to Rang County and properly treat your eyes.”

Yan Shang asked softly: “When do you plan to leave the city?”

Mu Wanyao’s eyes narrowed slightly.

Yan Shang: “You don’t have to leave the city. There’s a better way.”

Mu Wanyao picked up the gauze, moving to cover his eyes: “You mean using this county’s magistrate, supporting him to power, giving the Nanyang Jiang family a new leader? I’ve thought of this move too, but…”

Yan Shang’s breathing quickened slightly as he sat up. Her hand touched the gauze covering his eyes while he gripped her other delicate wrist. Yan Shang said: “I can help Your Highness do this. Since there’s a best solution, we should use the best solution. Why settle for second best?”

Mu Wanyao stared at him, saying: “I’m afraid you’ll fall into danger.”

Yan Shang lowered his head, saying: “…I won’t. Don’t worry. I don’t do things I’m not confident about.”

Mu Wanyao gazed at him for a long time before saying softly: “You… why must you take such risks? Why do this? Is it because of Pei Qing’s betrayal that you feel sorry for me and want to compensate?”

Yan Shang froze.

He said: “Why would you think that?”

Mu Wanyao finished tying his gauze, saw him frowning, and couldn’t help reaching out to massage his brow, concerned: “Why are you frowning? Are you uncomfortable?”

Yan Shang answered softly: “The medicine… burns a little. It’s fine, I’ll feel better after a while.”

Mu Wanyao: “Do you want to lie down?”

He shook his head, and after thinking for a moment, she let him sit against the wall. She sat with him on the couch, shoulders touching as they leaned against the wall, saying she wanted to keep him company. Yan Shang persisted: “Why do you think I pity you?”

Seeing the topic hadn’t been avoided, Mu Wanyao rested her chin in her hand: “Do you know what he did to me?”

Yan Shang pressed his lips together.

He asked: “You mean Pei Qing?”

Mu Wanyao was surprised: “Didn’t you call him ‘Lord Pei’? Why suddenly use his full name?”

Yan Shang paused, somewhat petulantly: “I don’t want to call him that anymore. He makes me very angry.”

Mu Wanyao dismissed it: “What are you angry about? You don’t even know what he did.”

He said softly: “…I can probably guess.”

Mu Wanyao raised an eyebrow – she was just about to tell him the story, but he said he had already guessed. Curious about what he had guessed, she listened as Yan Shang spoke in a slightly tense voice: “The bandits knew you were a princess, so they must have followed after you left the city. You were captured because Pei Qing wasn’t with you.”

“He… he let go of your hand and escaped alone. Isn’t that right?”

Mu Wanyao froze, lowering her eyes.

Yan Shang continued: “So you had him work in Nanyang, helping you handle the aftermath, because you don’t want to face him for now. And given your personality… you probably don’t want to marry him anymore. You’re troubled by this.”

Mu Wanyao lowered her gaze: “All of Chang’an is preparing for my wedding.”

Yan Shang: “But I support you not marrying him.”

He paused, both dejected and determined: “Why are your marriage matters always so difficult… Why do people treat you this way?”

Mu Wanyao rested her chin in her hand and turned her face, quietly watching him worry for her. She held a slight smile, leaning her face against his shoulder. Seeing him so worried made her very happy. Her heart was joyful, but she still pulled him to change the subject: “Why talk about that? Let’s chat.”

Yan Shang: “Chat about what?”

He hesitated, thinking about what happened in the alley that evening, becoming uncomfortable, hesitant, wondering how to talk to her about it…

But Mu Wanyao said: “Let’s chat about ourselves. Yan Shang, what kind of person do you want to be? Are your thoughts now the same as when you were seventeen? I want to tell you about myself too. I don’t want to talk with others… I just want to talk with you.”

She turned her face slightly, lifting her eyelids. Thinking of how he had lost himself kissing her in the alley that evening, she smiled slowly and slyly, nuzzling his arm like a spoiled child: “After all… mm, you won’t marry me, and I won’t marry you. Let’s just be friends and get along well together, okay?”

Yan Shang was surprised—he could be friends with her. What was she thinking?